Biden and al-Abadi discussed military action against Islamic State and the importance of forming a new government in the fight against the terror group that has seized large areas of Iraq and Syria.

Abadi reassured Biden of his intent to quickly form a new government that is inclusive of all segments of Iraqi society and that he is prepared to take concrete steps to addresses the concerns of all of Iraq's communities.

The U.S. vice president and Barzani agreed on the importance of continuing the cooperation underway between the Kurdish peshmerga and the Iraqi security forces that helped retake the Mosul Dam.